As February is considered Black History Month and American Heart Month, I wanted to honor Ms. Jessie Sleet Scales (1865-1956), the first U.S. public health nurse. Ms. Scales contributed to the development and growth of public health nursing in New York City and is considered by many to be a health nurse pioneer.
Ms. Scales was born in Stratford, Ontario in Canada. She attended Provident Hospital in Chicago and graduated in 1895. She then took a half-year course at the Freedman’s Hospital in Washington D.C. She subsequently worked at a winter health resort in Lakewood, New Jersey for two years, following that she decided to become a district nurse.
At that time, achieving such a remarkable accomplishment was unprecedented for a black woman, yet Scales remained determined to pursue her objective. Scales were initially used at St. Phoebe's Mission in Brooklyn, New York. Despite showing interest, she was informed that there were no available positions. She was led to the Charity Organization Society and questioned by the general secretary, Dr. Devine. Dr. Devine observed a significant prevalence of TB among African Americans in New York City and recommended hiring a Black district nurse owing to the prevalent racial barriers at that time. Despite facing opposition from the committee, Scales was appointed as the first black district nurse at the Charity Organization Society based on Dr. Devine's recommendation. She was tasked with convincing the African American population in New York City to undergo treatment for TB, which was a significant health issue at the time. From her case studies published under the title of “A Successful Experiment” by the American Journal of Nursing (1901), she was managing not only tuberculosis cases, but also other health conditions of the African American community of New York City including peritonitis, chicken pox, cancer, diphtheria, pneumonia, rheumatism, and scalp-wound. Ms. Scales actively worked continuously to improve African-American community health. Specifically, in addition to her work with the Charity Organization Society, Scales worked together with Elizabeth Tyler establishing the Stillman House which functioned to improve the health conditions in the black community.
Ms. Scales has had many contributions to the improvement of health conditions in the black community. These contributions could have not been accomplished had it not been for her being an African-American nurse with genuine altruism, passion, and intelligence. Depending on the society where people belong to, some may have a number of different affiliations to particular groups, while some affiliations come with a characteristic of individuality. Such exclusive connections can comprise the sociodemographic features of a population. Still, over a century later, in 2024, health disparities due to such individuality are yet to be the top list of health issues that need to be addressed. Considering Ms. Scales’ footsteps, the simplest but most powerful solution would be encouraging healthcare professionals with great passion and composed mind, from the heart of those specific populations to continuously communicate and educate their community. When I read one of her reports in the American Journal of Nursing published in 1901, I was in awe of her passion and how it paid off in improving the health status of her community.
From Ms. Scales we should think about:
- What and why are health disparities existing across groups?
- What is my uniqueness that I can contribute to the improvements in population health status?
References
Drown, Lucy L.. A successful experiment. American Journal of Nursing 1(10):p 729-730, July 1901.
Mosley MO. Jessie Sleet Scales: first black public health nurse. ABNF J. 1994 Mar-Apr;5(2):45-51. PMID: 8161813.
Thoms, Adah B. (2020-01-12). Pathfinders:a history of the progress of colored graduate nurses /. New York. hdl:2027/mdp.39015012320084
